94 Blackberry Lake Road

Description

Some houses are designed for a piece of land. This one feels like it grew out of it. Set in a quiet clearing along Blackberry Lake in Jeffersonville, this striking modern lakefront home by designer Shenna Brysi and Birch Lane Development cantilevers above the landscape, surrounded by rock outcroppings, woods, water, and its own small sandy beach. It is the third collaboration we've had the pleasure of representing from this designer-builder team, and while the architectural point of view is unmistakably theirs, the materials and details here give this house an identity entirely its own. Cedar and stucco wrap the exterior beneath a standing-seam metal roof, a restrained combination that feels particularly good against the landscape. Inside, the main living level is open and dramatic, with soaring ceilings, expansive Pella windows, hand-finished limewash walls, and a sculptural wood-burning stove that holds its own against all that glass and sky. The kitchen continues the material story with Italian cabinetry, high-end appliances, and beautifully minimal Dekton surfaces. Nothing feels overly worked or decorative. Rounded corners soften the architecture, custom built-ins disappear neatly into the rooms, and a carefully edited palette of wood, stone, plaster, and glass gives the interiors warmth without taking away from the view. The lower level is quieter by design, with three bedrooms opening directly to the outdoors. The primary suite has its own spa-like bath and soaking tub, while the second full bath brings in terrazzo for another unexpected layer of texture. A tucked-away reading nook along the hall is one of those smaller details that says a lot about the thought behind the house. Even the transition spaces have been considered. Outside, a massive wraparound cedar deck essentially becomes another living room. Morning coffee, dinner outside, a quiet afternoon with a book, cocktails as the light changes across the lake. From here, the house feels suspended between the trees and water. But ultimately, this house is about its relationship to the land. Stone paths wind through the property, multiple decks create different places to sit throughout the day and night. Down at the water, Adirondack chairs and a sandy beach make the lake feel like an extension of the house, ready for a swim, a paddle, or absolutely nothing at all. Jeffersonville has quietly become one of the most interesting little pockets of the Western Catskills. Start the morning at Jeffersonville Bake Shop, then wander Sullivan Sundries, a beautifully curated collection of specialty food, wine, coffee, sandwiches, and home goods under one roof. Ratty Books is another great addition to town, while nearby Callicoon brings the Delaware River, its Sunday farmers market, restaurants, shops, and the historic movie theater. Seminary Hill and Bethel Woods are also within easy reach, along with hiking, paddling, and some of the best fly-fishing in the region. Just about 100 miles from the GWB, this is contemporary Catskills architecture with a real sense of place: beautifully made, materially interesting, and completely at home beside the water.